Obit: Charlotte Emily Grove O’Rear

Friday

Apr 27, 2012 at 12:01 AMApr 27, 2012 at 4:46 PM

Charlotte Grove O’Rear, 90, of Black Mountain, NC, died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at her home in Highland Farms Retirement Community. She was born December 7, 1921, in Milford, Del. to the late Charles Eugene Grove and Minnie Belle Palmeter Grove.

Charlotte Grove O’Rear, 90, of Black Mountain, NC, died Thursday, April 19, 2012, at her home in Highland Farms Retirement Community. She was born December 7, 1921, in Milford, Del. to the late Charles Eugene Grove and Minnie Belle Palmeter Grove.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Harry B. O’Rear; one brother, Norman; four sisters, Jessie, Maxine, Jane, and Betty.

A graduate of Hahneman Hospital Nursing Program in Philadelphia, Pa, she met her future husband at the hospital where she worked. When her husband graduated Medical School, they took a train to her home in Milford, Del. and were married on December 25, 1943. Charlotte’s husband then entered the army for war service and spent time in the Philippines. When he returned, they moved to Durham, N.C. where she worked as a nurse and he completed a residency in Pediatrics. An offer to join the Pediatrics Department of the Medical College of Georgia took them to Augusta, Ga.

In Augusta, Charlotte was very involved with the Medical Auxiliary, where she began the volunteer service information desk at the MCG hospital. She also was the state secretary for the Medical Auxiliary for several terms. She also started a program for the wives of the medical students she named the “PHT”, or “Putting Hubby Through”. Charlotte was also involved with the local Girl Scouts program, and was a leader for many years as well as serving on the board.

As they neared retirement, they hiked and camped through the Appalachian Trail, mostly in the North Carolina area-they were looking for an area to build their retirement home. They found their land in Waynesville, N.C. area and built the dream home they sought. On a clear day they could look out on their deck and see seven ridges over. They lived there happily for 20 years until the death of her husband in 2008. In 2010, Charlotte decided to move to Highland Farms Retirement Center in Black Mountain, N.C., where in just over one year, she made many new friends.

Charlotte is survived by a daughter, Sherry and her husband, Dan of Hoover, Ala.; a son, Terry and his wife, Sheryl of Anderson, S.C.; one brother, Gale and his wife, Ann of Felton, Del.; four grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 3 p.m. in the Assembly Room at Highland Farms Retirement Center with Dr. Ashley Calhoun officiating. Time for remembrances and reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Girl Scouts of the US, online at http://girlscouts.org/support or mail at Girl Scouts of the USA, Fund Development, PO Box 5046, New York, NY 10087.

Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals, 828-669-2977. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.